‘Multi-National’ to drop from U.S. unit names in Iraq

[unhappycamper]

‘Multi-National’ to drop from U.S. unit names in Iraq
By Michael Gisick, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Saturday, November 28, 2009

BAGHDAD — One of the last vestiges of the "coalition of the willing" in Iraq will soon be retired.

As part of a consolidation of its command structure ahead of next year’s planned troop reductions, the U.S. military will drop the "Multi-National" name from its unit designations starting in January. The last non-U.S. troops, from the United Kingdom, Australia and Romania, left Iraq in July.

Under the plan, the top two levels of the U.S. command, known as Multi-National Forces—Iraq and Multi-National Corps—Iraq, will be merged and renamed U.S. Forces—Iraq. The U.S. command that oversees training of Iraqi forces will also fall into the new command.

The four U.S. operational commands in the country, now known as Multi-National Divisions, will also drop the "Multi-National" from their names.

The military says the consolidation will help streamline operations during what it’s calling a "responsible drawdown" — the plan to reduce the U.S. presence from 120,000 troops to 50,000 by next summer. Troops are expected to begin leaving by spring, though Iraqi officials say political wrangling in parliament will delay January elections that would have paved the way for a partial withdrawal.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=66344



unhappycamper comment: The Party of One drops the charade.